Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region declared a drought emergency for Barcelona and the surrounding area on Thursday, imposing stricter water restrictions after three years without significant rain.
Pere Aragones, the leader of Catalonia’s regional administration, announced the move after Mediterranean reservoirs dipped below 16 percent capacity.
That level is the standard established by officials for the implementation of a new series of water-saving measures that will effect around six million people.
“Catalonia is suffering the worst drought in the last century, we have never faced such a long and intense drought since rainfall records began,” Aragones said at a news conference.
The emergency intends to reduce the daily water allowance for household and municipal use from 210 to 200 litres (55 to 52 gallons) per person.
If the drought worsens, it may be reduced to 180 litres, then 160 litres.
The water consumption limits will take effect on Friday in Barcelona and 201 nearby towns, including a prohibition on filling private swimming pools and washing cars unless they are done with recycled water.
Public gardens can only be irrigated with groundwater.
Agriculture and industries will see larger losses. The emergency declaration intends to reduce water use for agriculture irrigation by 80% and industrial by 25%.
Several heatwaves experienced in Spain and wider Europe last summer intensified the drought, lowering reservoirs’ levels as water evaporation and consumption soared.
The extremely warm weather has continued into 2024, with temperatures rising to nearly 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) in certain areas in January, a temperature typically seen in June.
Experts believe that climate change caused by human activity is increasing the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires.